Locking plate structure for a spring energized switch operator



W. S. KOVATS July 1'1, I967 LOCKING PLATE STRUCTURE FOR A SPRING ENERGIZED SWITCH OPERATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 7, 1966 July 11, 1967 w. s. KOVATS 3,330,919

LOCKING PLATE STRUCTURE FOR SPRING ENERGIZED SWITCH OPERATOR Filed April '7, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 67 65 J7z0620n lk bz gfs.

1% K m m 4/ w lwq July 11, 1967 w. s. KOVATS 3,330,919

LOCKING PLATE STRUCTURE FOR A SPRING ENERGIZED SWITCH OPERATOR Filed April 7, 1966 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 .Jkz/erafw? ifl azz 67 03/4 3 5'. MJWMEM 9%? w. s. KOVATS 3,330,919

SPRING ENERGIZED SWITCH OPERATOR July 11, 1967 LOCKING PLATE STRUCTURE FOR A 4 Sheets-Sheet Filed April 7, 1966 United States Patent LOCKDIG PLATE STRUCTURE FOR A SPRING ENERGIZED SWITCH OPERATOR William S. Kovats, Gak Lawn, 111., assignor to G & W

Electric Specialty Company, Blue Island, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed Apr. 7, 1966, Ser. No. 540,918

10 Claims. (Cl. 200-42) The invention relates to high voltage switch structure and has reference in particular to a multiple position switch and to locking plate structure for releasably locking the switch in any one of its multiple switch positions.

Although not necessarily limited thereto the present locking plate structure has been illustrated in associated relation with a high voltage switch operator wherein energy is stored in a pair of coil springs for effecting a rapid snap action of the multiple switch contacts into several switch operating positions within a full revolution and in either direction of rotation.

The locking plate of the present device is fixed to the switch operating shaft, which shaft is manually actuated by the switchman. Another plate of the device, having associated relation with the locking plate, is fixed by being bolted to a base member. Openings are provided in the plates respectively, and when the openings are in alignment in the stationary positions of the switch, a locking member is passed through the aligned openings for releasably holding the switch mechanism in a locked position.

Another object of the invention is to provide locking plate mechanism of the type described and which can be employed for releasably locking the manually operable shaft of the switch in a closed, in an open, and in a grounded position. The locking mechanism is so constructed and arranged that a pivoted stop member which is normally operative as a stop must first be released before the switch contacts can be actuated into a grounded position.

With these and various other objects in view, the invention may consist of certain novel features of construction and operation, as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the specification, drawings and claims appended thereto.

In the drawings which illustrate an embodiment of the device and wherein like reference characters are used to designate like parts:

FIGURE 1 is an end view with parts being shown in section of a multiple position switch actuator having combined therewith the locking plate mechanism of the invention, the switch actuator being shifted angularly approximately thirty degrees with respect to the locking plate mechanism to better illustrate the various elements of the same;

FIGURE 2 is a view taken substantially along line 22 of FIGURE 1, the same showing the coil springs, the hold and release elements and other parts of the switch operator with which the locking plate mechanism has associated relation;

FIGURE 3 is a top elevational view of the switch operator as seen in FIGURE 2 looking from the top to the bottom;

FIGURE 4 is a plan View of one of the torque plates of the switch operator;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of the actuating plate of the switch operator;

FIGURE 6 is a front elevational view taken substantially along line 66 of FIGURE 1 and showing on a reduced scale the present locking plate mechanism and the padlocks for locking the same;

FIGURE 7 is a front elevational View similar to FIG- URE 6 but showing one padlock removed and with the switch structure rotated into an open position;

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FIGURE 8 is a front elevational view similar to FIG- URE 7 but showing the pivoted locking lever in a released position so that the switch structure can be actuated into a grounded position;

FIGURE 9 is a front elevational view similar to FIG- URE 8 and showing the position of the plates of the locking plate structure with the switch in a grounded position; and

FIGURE 10 is a detail view showing the structural features of one of the pivot guides.

The switch operator of the invention is interposed be tween a manually operable shaft 10, FIGURES 1, 2 and 3, and a switch actuating shaft 12 which carries the movable contacts of the electric switch. The locking plate mechanism is located exteriorly of a partition wall 13 which may be the end Wall of the switch housing, the same containing oil and thus the switch operator is located on the opposite side of the partition wall and is immersed in the oil for reasons well understood in the art. The switch operator essentially consists of a switch actuating plate 14 FIGURE 5, and a pair of torque plates 15 and 16 FIGURES 1 and 4, a torque plate being lo cated on respective sides of the actuating plate and all three plates being disposed parallel to each other. The studs 17 FIGURE 3, are fixed to the actuating plate 14 and they extend through slots 18 of special curvature in the torqeu plate 16 to receive the shaft anchoring plate member 20. The plate member is secured to the studs by the securing screws 21 and the switch actuating shaft 12 is suitably fixed to the plate member. Rotation of the actuating plate is accordingly imparted to the actuating shaft 12 to in turn actuate the switch contacts.

The torque plates 15 and 16 are securely fixed to the manually operable shaft 10 so that the operator may turn the shaft to rotate the torque plates and cock the switch operator. To assist the operator or switchman in rotating the shaft 10 the handle 22 is provided and the same is detachable from the hexagonal nut 23. The nut is nonrotatably fixed on shaft 10 being retained in place by the cap 24 and the threaded bolt 25.

A locking plate 26 is fixed to the shaft 10 so as to rotate with the shaft, whereas the segment plate 27 is independently rotatable about said shaft 10. The plates are held in spaced relation by the washer 28. Plate 27 is held against a shoulder provided by the retaining ring 30 and thus the segment plate is properly spaced with respect to the base plate 31. The base plate is fixed to the partition Wall 13, being supported in spaced relation on the wall by the stubs 32 and being secured by the securing screws 33. As best shown in FIGURES 6 to 9, inclusive, the plates 26 and 27 and the base plate 31 are provided respectively with oblong openings 34 for receiving a padlock such as 36 when the openings in the three plates are aligned, the said padlock locking the switch structure in either a closed, an open or in a grounded position. Several switch positions are indicated by the segments 35 which are provided by the interlock bar 37. The said interlock bar has integral supports 39 which fixedly secure the bar to the base plate 31. Additional posts 38 secure the respective ends of the indicating segments 35 to the base plate and said posts perform the additional function of limiting the rotation of the handle 36 and also that of the segment plate 27. The posts 38, interlock bar 37, and the posts 39 are all mounted on the base plate 31, which plate is fixedly secured to the partition wall 13. By means of the segments 35, the interlock bar is divided into equal sectors and which are, respectively, indicated in the illustrated embodiment as closed, open and ground. The position of the switch with respect to each sector is indicated by a pointer on the plate 26.

The interlock bar 37 also provides a support on which a keylock 40 can be mounted, The keylock bolt 41 extends into slots in the locking plate 26 when the said bolt is extended. The slots are provided in the plate 26 in several positions thereof for coordinating the position of the said plate with the proper sequence in the switching operations.

The segment plate 27 is formed to provide an extension 42 and which is normally positioned between the right hand support 38 and the stop portion 43 on the pivot end of the latching lever 44. The lever can be locked in a stop position, as regards extension 42 by the padlock 45. In this locked position the lever cannot be rotated to release the extension 42 and thus the extension is confined between the right hand post 38 and the stop portion 43. With the segment plate thus locked the switchman is prevented from moving the switch contact into a ground position. The pointer on plate 26 provides a depending stop 46, FIGURE 8, and which will contact the straight edge of the segment plate 27 should the operator attempt to move the switch contacts so as to ground the switch. However, the padlock can be removed as shown in FIG- URES 8 and 9. This allows the latching lever 44 to drop down and the stop portion 43 is removed as an obstruction so that the segment plate 27 is free. The switchman can now rotate the switch structure in a clockwise direction and ground the contacts of the switch. The position of the several plates when the switch contacts are grounded is shown in FIGURE 9. The latching lever is provided for the sole purpose of requiring the switchman to perform a special task before it is possible for him to connect the switch contacts to the ground terminal.

The radial edges of segment plate 27 are located in rotational relation with respect to its extension 42 such that the plate is restricted to rotate between the left and right hand stops 38. This limits the number of switch positions as required and which in the illustrated embodiment is shown as closed, open, and ground.

Since the manually operable shaft extends into the switch housing which contains oil, it is necessary to provide an oil seal for the rotatable shaft. This is effected by the retaining ring 30 which provides the O-ring seal 47 having sealing contact with the shaft 10. The retaining ring is threaded to collar 48 and the said ring and the collar having clamping relation with partition wall 13. The seal is completed by compressing the gasket 49. The shaft 10 continues inwardly of the switch housing and the projecting end of shaft 10 extending inwardly from the partition wall 13 carries the torque plates and 16. The torque plates are retained in proper spaced relation on shaft 10 by a ring member which is thus located within the central opening 50, FIGURE 5, of the actuating plate 14. A washer 51 FIGURE 3, and a securing screw 52 retain the various parts on shaft 10. It will accordingly be understood that the torque plates are capable of rotation independently of the actuating plate although all three plates will rotate on the same axis,

The switch actuator is cocked by the switchman by manually rotating the torque plates 15 and 16. This action stores energy in power means in the form of a pair of coil springs 54 and 55 normally carried by the actuating plate 14. The cocking action compresses the coil springs and while the springs are being compressed the actuating plate is held stationary by a holding and release element. Reference is made to FIGURES 2 and 3 which show the coil springs 54 and 55 extending along respective side edges of the actuator plate and being confined between pivot members 56 and 57 for coil spring 54 and between pivot members 58 and 60 for coil spring 55. The pivot members are shown in detail in FIGURE 10 where it will be observed that the members are in the form of a spool having a central groove 61 and a pivot pin 62 projecting from each end. The members 56 and 60 each have a guide sleeve 63 threadedly secured thereto as at 64, see FIGURE 2, and the pivot members 57 and 58 have a guide rod 65 similarly threaded thereto as at 66.

The sleeves telescope the guide rods and the parts have slidable relation with each other to permit compression of the coil spring. The actuating plate as best shown in FIGURE 5, is formed with an extension 67 at each end and on both sides, and the said extensions have an inside arcuate edge 63 for engaging in the center groove 61 of it srespective pivot member. In this manner the coil springs and associated parts are carried by the actuating plate, although the pivot members are each removable for compressing the coil springs in a manner which will now be described.

As previously explained the torque plates are rotated for cocking the switch actuator and for this purpose the torque plates FIGURE 4, are each formed with edge slots 70, a slot being located at each end and on respective sides of each torque plate. The slots are so constructed and arranged that they receive the pivot pin 62 of the pivot members, respectively, Also, the inclination of the slots has been designed to not only receive a pivot pin, but to maintain full setting relation with the pin while the torque plate is being rotated. Inclination is such as to follow substantially the arc from the center of the plate. Also, since the torque plates are located on respective sides of the actuating plate, the pivot pins of both members will be engaged both top and bottom.

For a complete description as regards the structure and mode of operation of the present multiple position switch actuator reference is made to a copending application in the name of William S. Kovats, Ser. No. 538,851, filed Mar. 30, 1966, and entitled Spring Energized Switch Operator with Roller Type Stop and Release Elements.

When the torque plates have been rotated sufiiciently in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction for fully compressing both of the coil springs 54 and 55, one of the hold and release elements will be withdrawn from its holding position to a release position and accordingly the actuating plate 14 is released and it is propelled by the energy stored in the coil springs into the next angular switch position. The holding and release elements are pivotally carried by the actuating plate, although they are actuated into a release direction by the rotating movements of one of the torque plates. The mechanism includes latch plates 72 and 73 pivoted to the actuating plate 14 at respective ends of the same by means of the pivot studs 74. The pivot studs extend completely through the actuating plate to project from each surface thereof and each pivot stud pivotally mounts a pair of latch plates disposed top and bottom of the actuating plate. The outer extending end of each pair of triangular latch plates carries a roller which is essentially the hold and release element of the switch operator for one direction of operation. For latch plates 72 the roller is identified by the numeral 75 and for the latch plates 73, the roller is identified by numeral 76. The pin 77 which journals the roller '75 also has connection with a lever 78 which extends inwardly and terminates in a guide spool 80. The spool is located in one of the arcuate openings 18 in the torque plate 15 and the flanges of the spool have location on respective sides of the torque plate. A tension spring 81 is located on each side of the actuating plate for resiliently biasing the roller 75 in an outward direction. The tension springs are coiled around a common retaining pin 82 and one end of each is in contact with the roller, whereas the opposite end of each tension spring is fixed to a stop indicated by the numeral 83 and anchored to the actuating plate.

The roller 76 has similar structure associated therewith including the lever 84 which terminates in the guide spool 85 having location in the other arcuate opening 18 in the torque plate 15. The tension springs 86 maintain the roller 76 in an outward position, the spring at one end having contact with the roller and after coiling around the retaining pin 87 the springs are fixed to the stop 88. The stops 83 and 88 are likewise elfective in limiting pivotal movement of their latch plates in an outward direction.

With the two padlocks 36 and 45 in place as shown in FIGURE 6, the switch contacts are locked in a circuit closed position. The padlock 36 locks plate 26 to the stationary plate 31. The padlock 45 locks the segment plate 27 by its locking action on the extension 42. The keylock 40 with the bolt 41 extended also locks the plate 26. Accordingly the operator in order to actuate the switch must first retract the bolt 41 and remove the padlock 36. A handle can then be placed on the hex nut 23 and shaft can be rotated to in turn rotate the torque plates and 16 and store energy in the coil springs 54 and 55 by compressing the springs. Upon substantially full compression, the actuating plate 14 is released and actuation of the switch contacts takes place, the movement being from a circuit closed position to an open position. The plate will thus be indexed into the position shown in FIGURE 7.

Should the switchman attempt to ground the switch contacts it will be seen that the projection 46 FIGURE 8 on the underside of plate 26 will contact the edge of the segment plate 27 and further movement of shaft 10 will be prevented. Thus in accordance with the invention, the switchman must perform an additional act, namely the release of the extension 42. This is effected by removing the padlock 45 which allows the pivot lever 44 to drop whereupon the segment plate is free and the switch contacts can now be actuated into a ground position. When this is accomplished the plate 26 will be indexed as shown in FIGURE 9.

The invention is not to be limited to or by details of construction of the particular embodiment thereof illustrated by the drawings, as various other forms of the device will, of course, be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In locking structure for a multiple position switch operator, the combination with a switch operating shaft adapted to be manually actuated for indexing the contacts of the switch, a base plate having a stationary fixed relation, a locking plate fixed to the operating shaft so as to rotate with the shaft and being disposed in parallel relation with the base plate, a segment plate supported on the operating shaft for free indepedent rotation and being interposed between the base plate and locking plate and being susbtantially parallel thereto, and said base plate, segment plate and locking plate having a plurality of openings respectively formed therein in circumferentially spaced relation, said opening being adapted to receive a locking member when the openings in the three plates are in alignment, whereby the switch operating shaft is held against rotation since the locking plate is locked to the fixed stationary base plate.

2. Locking structure for a multiple position switch operator as defined by claim 1, wherein the locking member which is received by the openings when in alignment comprises a padlock, the said openings in the locking plate and in the base plate being circumferentially spaced to accord with the several indexed positions of the contacts of the switch.

3. Locking structure for a multiple position switch operator as defined by claim 1, additionally including a keylock having a slidable keybolt, said keylock being supported in fixed relation on the base plate, and said locking plate having a number of slots formed in the periphery of the plate in spaced relation to accord with the indexed positions of the contacts of the switch, and said bolt in extended position being adapted to enter a slot to thereby lock the locking plate in one of its indexed positions.

4. Locking structure for a multiple position switch operator as defined by claim 1, additionally including releasable means for locking the segment plate in a predetermined position with respect to the base plate, said segment plate in locked position providing stop means preventing rotation of the locking plate from a certain indexed position to another indexed position, whereby the releasable means must be removed before the locking plate can be indexed from the certain position into the second mentioned position.

5. Locking structure for a multiple position switch operator as defined by claim 1, wherein the segment plate is formed with an extension, and additionally including a releasable member for locking the extension and thus the segment plate to the base plate with the segment plate having a predetermined position, said segment plate in locked position providing stop means preventing rotation of the locking plate from a certain indexed position to another indexed position, whereby the releasable member must be removed before the locking plate can be indexed from the certain position into the second mentioned position.

6. In locking plate structure for a multiple position switch, in combination, a housing providing a partition wall, a base plate fixed to the partition wall exteriorly thereof, a manually operable switch actuating shaft extending through the base plate and partition wall and being journalled by the partition wall, locking plate structure for the switch actuating shaft including a locking plate fixed to the said shaft and being disposed in parallel relation with the base plate, a plurality of circumferentially spaced openings in the base plate having a position corresponding to the several indexed positions of the switch, and said locking plate also having formed therein a plurality of openings respectively, spaced to accord with those in the base plate, the said openings in the base plate and in the locking plate being adapted to receive locking means when the openings are in alignment.

7. Locking plate structure for a multiple position switch as defined by claim 6, wherein the locking means consists of a padlock.

8. Locking plate structure for a multiple position switch as defined by claim 6, additionally including a segment plate rotatable on the switch actuating shaft and being disposed between and parallel to the base plate and locking plate, a plurality of openings in the segment plate which are positioned to accord with those in the base plate, means for releasably locking the segment plate against rotation without interfering with the rotation of the switch actuating shaft or with the rotation of the locking plate, and said segment plate when in locked position providing stop means preventing rotation of the locking plate from a certain indexed switch position to another indexed switch position.

9. Locking plate structure for a multiple position switch as defined by claim 6, wherein the certain indexed position is an open circuit position of the switch contacts and wherein the second mentioned indexed switch position is a grounded position of the switch contacts.

10. Locking plate structure for a multiple position switch as defined by claim 6, wherein the means for releasably locking the segment plate against rotation includes an extension integral with the plate and a locking lever pivotally mounted on the base plate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,370,87 7 3/ 1945 Robbins 20042 X 2,512,505 6/ 1950 Rowe 20042 X 3,155,786 11/1964 Stegmaier 20042 ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner. H. HOHAUSER, Assistant Examiner. 

6. IN LOCKING PLATE STRUCTURE FOR A MULTIPLE POSITION SWITCH, IN COMBINATION, A HOUSING PROVIDING A PARTITION WALL, A BASE PLATE FIXED TO THE PARTITION WALL EXTERIORLY THEREOF, A MANUALLY OPERABLE SWITCH ACTUATING SHAFT EXTENDING THROUGH THE BASE PLATE AND PARTITION WALL AND BEING JOURNALLED BY THE PARTITION WALL, LOCKING PLATE STRUCTURE FOR THE SWITCH ACTUATING SHAFT INCLUDING A LOCKING PLATE FIXED TO THE SAID SHAFT AND BEING DISPOSED IN PARALLEL RELATION WITH THE BASE PLATE, A PLURALITY OF CIRCUMFERTIALLY SPACED OPENINS IN THE BASE PLATE HAVING A POSITION CORRESPONDING TO THE SEVERAL INDEXED POSITIONS OF THE SWITCH, AND SAID LOCKING PLATE ALSO HAVING FORMED THEREIN A PLURALITY OF OPENINGS RESPECTIVELY, SPACED TO ACCORD WITH THOSE IN THE BASE PLATE, THE SAID OPENINGS IN THE BASE PLATE AND IN THE LOCKING PLATE BEING ADAPTED TO RECEIVE LOCKING MEANS WHEN THE OPENINGS ARE IN ALIGNMENT. 